「苦言熟考」 August 4, 2016, Episode 374: A Nation Unable to Express ‘Reason’ or “Rationality” ~Thoughts on the Takaichi Administration~
「苦言熟考」 August 4, 2016, Episode 374: A Nation Unable to Express ‘Reason’ or “Rationality” ~Thoughts on the Takaichi Administration~
＊
*Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
*
By adding text, I have “promoted” the reprint of Episode 111 to “Episode 374.”
＊
It seems many commentators lament that Japan today is dominated by “anti-intellectualism.”
It appears that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and those who blindly support his policies and beliefs represent this “anti-intellectualism.”
In other words, Japan—where such people repeatedly act as they please without criticism, indeed even receiving support—has long since become “a nation of people incapable of expressing ‘reason’ or ‘logic.’”
The Japanese people have lost the ability to think things through logically.
The results of the recent House of Councillors election and the Tokyo gubernatorial election have made this undeniably clear.
It is the media, led by NHK, that has continually aided and abetted Japan's descent into a state where it is ruled by pseudo-patriots who merely indulge in empty rhetoric.
As a whole, Japan's media has fallen to the role of standard-bearer for “anti-intellectualism.” It has effectively devolved into the media of the Imperial Japan era, when the Imperial Rule Assistance Association controlled public opinion.
＊ ＊
[Added August 11, 2016 ] The “Shunju” column in the “Nihon Keizai Shimbun” had this passage (http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXKZO05949400R10C16A8MM8000/).
<After Pericles, who built Athens' golden age, the ancient Greek city-state was plagued by a succession of demagogues. One such figure, Cleon, once spoke so frankly in a speech that it revealed his true thoughts about the citizens. The historian Thucydides recorded this in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” (translated by Masaaki Kubo). ▼“You have always cultivated the bad habit of looking at words and listening to facts.” This means that people are easily captivated by the words of eloquent speakers, believing them without question, and accept facts through hearsay rather than seeing them for themselves. It seems such citizens are not difficult to incite. “When it comes to being easily deceived by bizarre logic, you are truly unmatched (...)”＞
＊ ＊
“Kugen Jukko” wrote this in [Episode 111: NHK is Promoting the Deterioration of Japanese!] (2009-02-24):
＜If Japanese continues to “degrade” so easily, as shown in the examples here, won't it gradually degenerate into a language incapable of expressing anything beyond childish “sensibilities”? Or won't the Japanese people increasingly become a nation unable to express ‘reason’ or “logic”?—I can't help but feel such fears are justified.＞
*
NHK used to have a spirit and pride (a word Prime Minister Aso likes) in using beautiful, standard Japanese in its broadcasts. But where on earth has that attitude gone lately?
Far from “beautiful language,” NHK has recently been leading the charge in “degrading” Japanese.
How exactly are they “degrading” it?
To put it bluntly and simply, it's by “mindlessly and thoughtlessly turning Japanese into headlines.”
Numerous examples exist, but here are just two:
<Honesty, I'm surprised> <1>
<Principle, it's prohibited> <2>
Both are expressions (slightly simplified) used by announcers in news programs.
I've written essays before arguing that NHK announcers (and the reporters writing the articles) should stop using “noun + desu” so much, as it makes Japanese ugly (“This kind of phrasing is jarring to the ear”).
The above <1> and <2> also fit into that line of thinking.
<1> should properly be expressed as <I was startled> or <I was surprised>.
<2> should be expressed as <It is prohibited> or <It has been decided to prohibit it>.
Don't you think that constitutes “mature” language usage?
—I began that way, but <1> and <2> actually contain a more serious and critical problem.
Don't you find the usage of “honesty” and “principle” strange?
Since when have “honesty” or ‘principle’ alone become capable of modifying “—desu”?
Let's consult the <Gendai Kokugo Gikai Jiten> (Shogakukan).
<1> “Honesty” is said to have two functions. First, as a “noun/adjectival verb,” and second, as an “adverb.”
In the above example, since it modifies “—desu,” “honesty” is being used adverbially. However, the example sentence given in this dictionary is <Living alone is honestly lonely>.
That is the proper usage. “Honesty cannot modify a subsequent verb or adjective unless followed by a phrase like “to be frank” or “to tell you the truth.”
The correct expression for <1> would be something like “To be frank, I was completely taken aback.”
The dictionary above doesn't even mention an “adverbial usage” for <2>'s “principle.”
Example 2 should have been phrased as something like, “As a rule, it will be prohibited.”
“To be honest, I was completely taken aback” becomes “Honesty, I'm surprised”?
“As a rule, it will be prohibited” becomes “As a rule, it's prohibited”?
NHK has misunderstood Japanese.
NHK should not take on the role of popularizing “modern-style” expressions.
NHK must not ignore grammar and allow Japanese to “degrade” like this. It must not allow language, this cultural asset, to change so uglily.
It is a valid point that language changes with the flow of time.
But...
If Japanese continues to “degrade” so easily, as in the examples cited here, won't it gradually degenerate into a language capable of expressing only childish ‘sensibilities’? Or will Japanese people increasingly lose their “rationality”?
Compared to English, I often feel that Japanese—even when used at its best—is a language that faces significant problems and difficulties in highlighting reason and logic. And if that Japanese were to deteriorate further...
−
Please take a good look at the current state where NHK has become nothing more than a propaganda organ for Abe's LDP, steeped in blatant lies.
＋ ＋
Below is a list of essays I've written on language.
＊
No. 108 Japanese Women Are Far Too Oppressed!
No. 99 Please Stop Using Language Like This
No. 94: “The Elderly Mentor Who Gets Bitten After Feeding Stray Dogs”?
Episode 89: <Serious Critique> “Scold” and “Be Scolded” – Almost Dead Words
Episode 75: “...I think it would be nice” is sloppy!
Issue 70: Isn't “gathering attention” strange?
Episode 38: Is That “Kana” Still “Isn't It Strange ‘Kana’”?
Episode 4: That “Ha” Is Really Strange
Reprint: That Way of Speaking Is Really Offensive
*Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
*Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
「苦言熟考」 The 376th Session: These Are the People Forcing <Patriotism> Upon the Nation
The 376th Session: These Are the People Forcing <Patriotism> Upon the Nation
*
Prime Minister Abe and his entourage, the rightward shift of the LDP and others, and the growing momentum of their orientation, desire, and scheming for a return to the pre-war, wartime, and Greater Japanese Empire era.
One powerful means they have employed to achieve this return is the forced imposition of <patriotism> upon the people.
What is clear here, however, is that the reason they feel compelled to force <patriotism> upon the people with such relentless force is that, even after more than 70 years since the war, they have failed to build a Japan that anyone could naturally love.
The Japan they have created is not a country that any Japanese person can naturally love. The vast majority of Japanese people hold respect for the current Constitution of Japan, which loudly proclaims the beauty of constitutionalism, peace, and democracy, and they do not desire the horrifying “return of the Empire of Japan.”
Therefore, what they devised was the “concealment of the Empire of Japan.”
They didn't want the people to see the truth: that foolish, incompetent military leaders and politicians recklessly plunged into the Greater East Asia/Pacific War with no chance of victory, horrifically disregarding the preciousness of their citizens' lives and driving millions to brutal deaths. So they turned to the “Patriotism Promotion Movement,” appealing to the people's emotions and sentimentality.
This campaign seeks to manipulate the public's moral compass, ethical standards, and even aesthetic sensibilities to suit their agenda, brainwashing the people into believing “Japan is simply a ‘good country’” (while concealing its ugly destination).
To understand what kind of people fervently support this “Patriotism Promotion Campaign” on the ground, one need only recall those who moved suspiciously behind the scenes of the Moritomo Gakuen scandal—Prime Minister Abe and his wife, the sycophantic bureaucrats and politicians who fawned over him, and the school operators who didn't hesitate to defraud public funds from the state and local governments.
There's no need to reiterate how utterly rotten and fake the “patriotism” they preach is—they commit wrongdoing without hesitation or fear, disregarding the welfare of the people (swarming around patriotic privileges).
＊Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
■
「苦言熟考」 ２００５年
The 37th Edition: <Beautiful Country> Japan
＊Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
*
How thick-skinned is the Prime Minister?
——————————
Watching Prime Minister Abe forcefully push his policy to create a <Beautiful Country>, completely ignoring the priorities desired by the majority of the people, reminded me of a Japanese expression I hadn't used in years: “shāshā shite” (shamelessly). According to the <Gendai Kokugo Gensai Jiten> (Shogakukan), it means “acting brazenly, without a shred of shame.”
When Prime Minister Abe began saying he wanted to, or rather must, create a “Beautiful Country” or “Beautiful Japan,” it stands to reason that the Japan in his mind must have been an “unbeautiful country.” That's precisely why the idea of creating a “Beautiful Japan” must have occurred to him.
I believe the Prime Minister's perception was, not long ago, a fair one.
A <Beautiful Country> Japan where companies that repeatedly collude on public works projects and squander taxpayers' money form the backbone of the nation's industry?
A <Beautiful Country> Japan where governors who lead these collusion schemes and accept bribes keep popping up?
A <Beautiful Country> Japan where politicians trying to circumvent the Political Funds Control Law to amass personal wealth never cease? Despite the loud slogans, Japan—a “beautiful country” that has never truly eradicated the scourge of high-ranking bureaucrats landing cushy jobs?
Japan—a “beautiful country” where food manufacturers, once proud of their history and tradition, persistently ignore laws and regulations, threatening public health and safety?
Is this the <Beautiful Country> Japan? Where not only ordinary people, but even school teachers and renowned university professors repeatedly engage in “indecent acts” with underage girls?
Is this the <Beautiful Country> Japan? Where parents abuse and even kill their children? Is this the <Beautiful Country> Japan? Where schools, education boards, and even the Ministry of Education fail to properly address rampant bullying, unable to prevent children's tragic deaths?
Indeed, Japan's current state is far removed from a <Beautiful Country>. It seems Prime Minister Abe's perception of reality is not entirely inaccurate.
＊Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
But... Wait a minute. Who exactly turned Japan into this? For over sixty years since the war, with few short-term exceptions, hasn't the Liberal Democratic Party (and its affiliated parties) almost always dominated Japanese politics? Haven't they consistently held the initiative in policy-making, effectively deciding and implementing most policies?
It's only natural that Prime Minister Abe never utters a word like “Who made Japan like this?” Because the LDP he now leads (or is supposed to lead) is the one that did it.
Opposition from the opposition parties? Don't be ridiculous. While that is indeed unfortunate, in what period of postwar politics have opposition parties ever been credible policy opponents? In what period did opposition parties ever possess that kind of power? We must not allow the LDP to shift the blame elsewhere for turning Japan into an “unbeautiful” nation.
We must not simply listen as Prime Minister Abe, without acknowledging any LDP responsibility, brazenly advocates building a “beautiful country.” Prime Minister Abe, unable to properly explain why Japan has become an “unbeautiful” country, has said almost nothing concrete about what kind of Japan would be “beautiful.” He cannot. He can only string together abstract words emotionally and gently threaten the people.
“Sazareishi o iwao to narite”
We won't delve here into what Japan did to its neighbors while proudly singing this song from the Meiji to Showa eras. But when the leader of a political party that forcibly made its people sing such an unreasonable song for years even after the war suddenly starts talking about a “beautiful Japan,” it's not hard to guess what he's really thinking deep down.
Let's be careful. If we remain oblivious, Japan will only become an increasingly bizarre country.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
「苦言熟考」 20180330 No. 379: This Is What Abe Diplomacy Is All About:
「苦言熟考」 20180330 No. 379: This Is What Abe Diplomacy Is All About: Following, Flattery, Submission, Being Seen Through
＊
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
*
[Trump: “I won't be fooled again” - Japan's requests denied] Steel and Aluminum Import Restrictions Enforced March 23, 2018 20:00 (Updated March 23, 2018 21:50) Nikkei Asian Review
<The Trump administration imposed restrictions on steel and aluminum imports on the 23rd. The Japanese government had requested Japan be exempted, but the demand was rejected. Japan has built its economic and diplomatic strategies based on the trust relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Trump, but the limits of relying on personal ties between leaders are becoming apparent.>
President Trump reportedly said this:
“Japanese Prime Minister Abe and others are smirking, saying, ‘I can't believe we've been able to fool the United States for so long.’ Those days are over.”
Can you think of any other Japanese prime minister in political history who has been so openly mocked by a U.S. president—no, more broadly, by a foreign leader?
Domestically, Prime Minister Abe has acted with near-unchecked arrogance, falsehoods, intimidation, politicization of public office, and destruction of democracy. He has even gone so far as to declare himself “the head of the legislature,” showing utter arrogance. Yet, regarding relations with the United States, he has persistently swallowed every demand from Washington, maintaining a posture of subservience, flattery, and obedience.
The culmination of this is President Trump's statement.
“Personal trust”?
Prime Minister Abe, who has likely never deeply considered who he truly is, surely never imagined the day would come so soon when his “ally,” President Trump, would declare “You are FIRED!”
トランプに媚びを売りまくる高市首相も、いつか、きっと、こうなる。
「苦言熟考」 20081109 The 91st Session: The Democratic Party Doesn't Seem to Understan
20081109
The 91st Session: The Democratic Party Doesn't Seem to Understand 2008/08/11 Viewed (218)
*
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
*
＜Sankei News＞ (August 9, 2008) reports: ＜Democratic Party Secretary-General Yukio Hatoyama held a press conference in Utsunomiya City on the 9th. Regarding the party leadership election in September, he reiterated his support for Representative Ichiro Ozawa's third term. He then stated, “It doesn't matter whether an election happens or not. Isn't it best to just be natural?” indicating he is not insisting on holding a leadership election with multiple candidates.＞
It was Hatoyama, the Secretary-General, who was quickest to request Ozawa's “continuation” as leader after Ozawa announced his resignation following revelations that he had schemed for a “grand coalition” with the LDP without consulting the party. This clearly demonstrated that the Democratic Party's image remained unchanged from the old ways (not particularly different from the LDP).
It seems Hatoyama still doesn't grasp why voters gave the Democratic Party and other opposition parties a majority in the recent Upper House election.
What voters wanted to say in that election, broadly speaking, was: <The LDP government's approach so far seems likely to ruin Japan—our lives>. <Therefore, we must vote for the Democratic Party and other opposition parties now, forcing the LDP to reconsider>.
How many people actually voted believing, “This time, no matter what, we must have a Democratic Party government”? “The Democratic Party will definitely improve Japan—our lives”?
Despite the ongoing unfavorable conditions for the LDP—pension issues, income disparities, economic downturn—recent polls show the proportion of Democratic Party supporters hasn't significantly increased. This is because the Democratic Party doesn't understand what the people—the voters—are thinking.
The Democratic Party seems eager to hold the next House of Representatives election as soon as possible. They appear to believe they can win if they do.
But since that landslide victory in the House of Councillors election, has the Democratic Party done anything to impress voters—the people—to make them think, “Ah, that's the Democratic Party for you”?
Admittedly, they did fulfill their role in informing the public that pension administration was a mess.
But when it comes to matters central to the party's core existence, it's fair to say they've done almost nothing they could proudly proclaim as “This is the Democratic Party.” Perhaps the only meaningful party decision was their clear opposition to the refueling activities by Japanese Self-Defense Force vessels for U.S. ships in the Indian Ocean.
In other words, the Democratic Party has done almost nothing that would make the public think, “This time, let's give the Democratic Party the government” – nothing that would meet the expectations of voters.
And yet, <they think they can win the next House of Representatives election>?
If the Democratic Party does not hold a democratic and open leadership election in September, with multiple party members running, it will greatly reduce its chances of winning the next House of Representatives election. The public—the voters—want to see where the Democratic Party differs from the Liberal Democratic Party.
Is it acceptable for the Democratic Party to decide its leader without an election?
That would be the same as the case of Yasuo Fukuda, who became president out of the public eye. It would make them no different from the LDP.
What the public—the voters—desire is a transparent decision-making process.
The reason Representative Ozawa's “grand coalition” scheme is such a major stain on the Democratic Party is not only because the concept itself went against the public will, but also because it proceeded entirely in the dark. It became clear to everyone that the Democratic Party = Representative Ozawa actually shares the same nature as the LDP.
It's perhaps only natural that Secretary-General Hatoyama, who demanded Ozawa withdraw his resignation back then, would now utter such foolish words, lacking self-awareness: “Whether there's an election or not is fine.” He's making the same mistake again.
According to the Mainichi Shimbun (August 7, 2008), Democratic Party Deputy Leader Seiji Maehara reportedly stated, “Policies must constantly be refined. We should use the leadership election to promote the party.” Furthermore, voices from local prefectural chapter executives are also calling for “open policy debates to convey the party's policies to the public.”
These are natural “voices.” They represent what the public—the voters—are demanding.
Regardless of past political trends, the Democratic Party must demonstrate not only its policies but also that its decision-making process itself is already more transparent and understandable than the Liberal Democratic Party's. Otherwise, it will likely lose the next House of Representatives election.
Whether the Democratic Party can break free from politics driven solely by party interests and tactics—whether it seizes or squanders its chance to gain power—depends entirely on its own thinking.
If it continues to be a party that relies solely on the “missteps” of its opponent—the LDP—to aim for the next administration, it simply won't be enough.
*
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
20160804 第３７４回 “理性”や“論理性”を表現できない民族の国
文章を追加することで、第１１１回の‘再掲載’を“第３７４回”に‘昇格’させました。
＊
いまの日本は“反知性主義”に牛耳られている、と憂える論者が少なくないようですね。
安倍晋三首相とその政策・信条を盲目的に支持する者たちがその“反知性主義”を代表している、ということのようです。
つまり、そんな連中が好き勝手を繰り返しているのに批判されないどころか、むしろ支持されている日本は、全体としては、疾うに「“理性”や“論理性”を表現できない民族の国になって」いるわけです。
日本人は筋を通して物を考えることができなくなってしまっているのです。
先の参議院議員選挙と東京都知事選挙の結果がそのことを、否応なしに、明確に示しています。
実がない饒舌をもてあそぶだけの似非愛国者たちに日本が支配される事態に陥ってしまうのを手助けしつづけてきたのが、ＮＨＫをはじめとする報道機関です。
日本の報道機関は、全体としては、“反知性主義”の旗振り人に堕してしまっています。大政翼賛会が世論を牛耳った大日本帝国の時代の報道機関に、事実上、成り下がっています。
＊ ＊
[２０１６年８月１１日に追加] 「日本経済新聞」の「春秋」にこんな個所がありました（http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXKZO05949400R10C16A8MM8000/）。
＜古代ギリシャの盟主アテネは黄金期を築いたペリクレスなきあと、扇動政治家が相次いだ。その一人のクレオンという人物の演説に、彼が市民たちをどう思っているか、つい正直に語ったくだりがある。歴史家トゥキュディデスが「戦史」（久保正彰訳）に記している。▼「諸君はつねづね、話を目で眺め、事実を耳で聞くという悪癖をつちかってきた」。口達者な者の話にはその通りと思って目を奪われ、事実を自分で見ずに耳から信じる、との意味だ。そんな市民の扇動は難しくないということらしい。「奇矯な論理でたぶらかされやすいことにかけては、諸君はまったく得がたいかも（・・）だ」＞
＊ ＊
「苦言熟考」は【第１１１回 日本語の劣化をＮＨＫが進めている！】（2009-02-24）にこんなことを書いていました。
＜ここに挙げた例のように日本語がここまで安易に“劣化”していくことになると、日本語はしだいに幼稚な“感性”しか表現できない言語に堕ちていくのではないか、あるいは、日本人はますます“理性”や“論理性”を表現できない民族になっていくのではないか−。そんな恐れがあるような気がしてなりません＞
初めから読んでください。
＊
ＮＨＫには昔は＜放送の中では日本語の規範となる美しい言葉づかいをする＞というような気概と（麻生首相が好む単語）矜持があったように思うのですが、あの姿勢はこのごろ、いったいどこに行ってしまったのでしょう？
＜美しい言葉づかい＞どころか、ＮＨＫはこのところ率先して日本語を“劣化”させています。
どういうふうに“劣化”させているか？
あえて単純に言い切ってしまうと＜日本語を無分別・無思慮に“見出し化”することによって＞ということができます。
その例はいくつも挙げられますが、ここでは−
＜正直、驚きです＞ ＜１＞
＜原則、禁止です＞ ＜２＞
を取り上げておきます。
いずれも、ニュース番組の中でアナウンサーが使った表現（を少しだけ単純化したもの）です。
ＮＨＫのアナウンサーたち（と記事を書く記者たち）が「体言＋です」を多用して日本語を醜くしているから、これを改めるべきだ−という主旨のエッセイを以前に書いたことがあります（「こんな言い方は耳障りですよ」）。
上の＜１＞と＜２＞もその流れにはまっています。
＜１＞は本来は＜驚かせられてしまいました＞＜驚きました＞などと語られるべきところでしょう。
＜２＞は＜禁止されます＞＜禁止されることになりました＞という表現がふさわしいはずです。
それが“成熟”した言葉づかいというものだと思いませんか？
−と切り出しましたが、＜１＞と＜２＞には、実は、もっと重大で危機的な問題が含まれています。
「正直」と「原則」の使い方が変だと思いませんか？
「正直」や「原則」はいつから、それだけで「−−です」を修飾することができるようになったのでしょう？
＜現代国語例解辞典＞（小学館）を見てみます。
＜１＞「正直」には二つの機能があるとされています。第一には「名詞・形容動詞」としての、第二には「副詞」としての。
上の例では「−−です」を修飾している形になっていますから、「正直」は「副詞」ふうに使われているわけですが、この辞書に挙げられている例文は＜一人暮らしは正直言って寂しい＞となっています。
それが本来の使い方なのです。「正直」には「に言いますと」などといった言葉がつづかないと後の用言を修飾することができないのです。
＜１＞は「正直に言わせていただきますと、すっかり驚かせられてしまいました」などという言い方が、本来のものなのです。
上の辞典では、＜２＞の「原則」については＜副詞的用法＞の指摘すらありません。
＜２＞は、たとえば、「原則としては禁止されることになります」というふうになっていなければならなかったのです。
「正直に言わせていただきますと、すっかり驚かせられてしまいました」を「正直、驚きです」ですって？
「原則としては禁止されることになります」が「原則、禁止です」ですませられる？
日本語について、ＮＨＫは考え違いをしています。
ＮＨＫは“現代ふう”な表現を流行させる役割などを担ってはなりません。
ＮＨＫは文法を無視して、日本語をこんなふに“劣化”させてはなりません。言葉という文化をここまで醜く変化させてはなりません。
言葉というものは時の流れとともに移り変わっていくものだ−というのは正しい指摘だと思っています。
ですが…。
ここに挙げた例のように日本語がここまで安易に“劣化”していくことになると、日本語はしだいに幼稚な“感性”しか表現できない言語に堕ちていくのではないか、あるいは、日本人はますます“理性”や“論理性”を表現できない民族になっていくのではないか−。そんな恐れがあるような気がしてなりません。
英語に比べると、日本語は（それが最良の水準で使用される場合でも）理性や論理性を際立たせるのに問題や困難が多い言語のようだと日ごろ感じています。その日本語がさらに“劣化”を深めていくとなると−。
−
大嘘まみれの安倍自民党の広報機関にＮＨＫ成り果ててしまっている現状に目を据えてください。
＋ ＋
下は、これまでに書いた、言葉に関するエッセイのリストです。
＊
第１０８回 日本のジョシはあまりにも虐げられている！
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/kugen/20090125/1232849380
第９９回 お願いです こんな言葉づかいはやめてください
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/kugen/20081109/1226213052
第９４回 「野良犬に餌をアゲテオラレル老恩師」？
http://a20e.at.infoseek.co.jp/wssa-essay94.html
第８９回 ＜苦言熟考＞ ほとんど“死語”になった「叱る」「叱られる」
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/kugen/20081109/1226211717
第７５回 「…たらいいと思う」はだらしない！
http://a20e.at.infoseek.co.jp/wssa-essay75.html
第７０回 注目が“集まる”は変ではありませんか
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/kugen/20081109/1226210458
第３８回 その“かな”はやはり「変じゃない“かな”」？
http://a20e.at.infoseek.co.jp/wssa-essay38.html
第４回 その「は」はすごく変ですよ
http://a20e.at.infoseek.co.jp/wssa-essay04.html
再掲載 こんな言い方は耳障りですよ
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/kugen/20081107/1226037536
20190313 第382回 “２ SET”ではなく“SET 2”で
日本の女子バレーボール・リーグ（JAPAN V.League Women 2018 - 2019）の試合をときどき（YouTubeで）観ます。
その中継放送ヴィデオを見ていて、些細なことではありますが、ちょっと落ち着きが悪いと感じるところがありますので、今回はそのことにつて書くことにします。
－
落ち着きが悪いと感じるのは、得点や勝利セット数などを示す、テレヴィ画面左上部のグラフィックの枠の中に、たとえば、いま戦われているのが第２セットだとすると、“２” と “SET” が上下に並べて表示されていて、横書きに直せば “2 SET” としか読めないからです。
試合が行われているのが英語圏の国で、放送しているのがその国のテレヴィ会社であれば、この表示は “SET” が上に、“２” が下になります。
つまり、第２セットが戦われていれば、日本ではその横書きは “2 SET”とされているが、英語圏では “SET 2” となるわけですね。
英語圏ではなぜ “SET 2” という流れになるかというと、それが “SET NUMBER 2” を意味するからです。“２” を “SET” の前に置いて同じ意味を表示したい場合には、普通は “2nd (second) SET” という形になります。
“SET NUMBER 2” も “2nd (second) SET” も、セットがいま何番目であるかを表示しているわけです。
一方で “2 SET” が（まずは見た目に）落ち着きが悪く感じられるのは、“2” という数字が複数であるのに、それにつづくのが “SET” が単数になっているからです。
では、日本のグラフィックでは “2 SETs” と “SET” を複数形にすれば正しい表示になるのかというと、もちろん、そうではありません。英語圏では “2 SETs” と書けば、それは「（おなじ戦況の）セットが二つある」ということを示していると受け取られ、いま戦われているのが「二番目のセット」であるとは素直には理解されないだろうからです。
－
ところで、アメリカに“AAA”という名の自動車保険会社がありますね。これは、最も一般的には「トリプルA」と呼ばれています。「スリーA」ではありません。もちろん「スリーAs」でもありません。
なぜ「スリーA」または「スリーAs」ではないのかというと、この “AAA” は、同じAが三つ集められたものではないからです。
ここでの “AAA” は American Automobile Association の略称です。ここで一つの “A” が代表しているのは、“American” “Automobile” “Assiciation”と、それぞれに異なっているのです。
－
アメリカの大学の運動部を広くまとめ運営する組織に “NCAA” というのがあります。National Collegiate Athletic Associationがそう略称されています。日本では一般的に「全米大学運動協会」と呼ばれています。
さて、この “NCAA” を英語圏では普通はどう発音するかというと、それはやはり “NC2As” (NCトゥーエイズ）ではありません。「NCダブルA」なのです。
二つの“A”が代表しているものが“Athletic” と “Association” とに異なっているからです。
－
つまり、英語圏では、ある物が同じ形体・状態などで複数存在するのでなければ、それは、通常は、複数扱いしないということです。
－
アメリカの大リーグの下部に“AAA” とランクされる組織があります。当初、その最下部組織を “CLAS A” としたのに、その上を “CLASS 2As” にせず、“AA” = “DOUBLE（CLASS) A” に、その上を “CLASS 3As” にせずに “AAA” = “TRIPLE (CLASS) A” としたのは、“AA” が “CLASS A” を二つ集めたものではなかったし、“AAA” が “CLASS A” を三つ集めたものではなかったから、だと思われます。
その“AAA” を日本では普通には「３A」と表示しています。が、これは正しい書き表し方ではない、ということになります。日本語ででも、あくまでも「トリプルA」（あるいはそのまま「AA A」）とされるのが正しいでしょう。
もちろん、文法的には、“３As” という表記はありえますが、単に「３A」はまずありえません。また、“3A” が “AAA” = “TRIPLE A” と読まれることも、英語圏では、よほど“努力”されない限りは、ありえません。
－
そこで日本のバレーボール・リーグ。
それぞれのセットがまったく同様に戦われることはありえないし、文法上も首をかしげる類の表記ですから、“2 SET” は、ここで使われる表記としては、ふさわしくないでしょう。
そろそろ“SET 2” ＝ “SET NUMBER 2”と表示を変えてはどうでしょうか。縦書きならば “SET” を上に、“2” を下にということです。
その方がちゃんとそのまま世界に通用するはずですから。
